The Cleveland Browns remain the odds-on favorite to be San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo's next team. Of course, that depends on what happens with Deshaun Watson, who is facing a potential suspension. On Wednesday, Falcons analyst Cam Marino reported that Atlanta is one of five teams to inquire about Garoppolo. He names the others as the Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, and Miami Dolphins.

The Browns were noticeably absent from Marino's list.


"Browns don't have interest contrary to reports," Marino added.

One person close to the 49ers isn't buying that Cleveland has dismissed the possibility of adding Garoppolo, should the NFL hand down a heavy penalty on Watson.

"I would say right away, the Cleveland Browns do have interest in Jimmy Garoppolo, there's no doubt," Greg Papa, the 49ers' play-by-play radio broadcaster, said on KNBR's Papa & Lund show (h/t KNBR). "They are just waiting for what's going to happen to the guy they gave $230 million fully guaranteed to. ... I have great sources on this that the Browns have shown interest in Jimmy Garoppolo."

Obviously, no trade between the Browns and 49ers will go down if Watson's suspension is lighter than some expect. Cleveland might be content with starting Jacoby Brissett until Watson's return. However, a lengthy suspension, like for the whole 2022 season, might change the team's plans.

"Right away, Cam Marino states the Browns don't have interest contrary to reports," Papa continues. "I think it's false. I know it is. I know they have interest. They've looked into Jimmy Garoppolo, and they're waiting. I'm here to tell you they do have interest in Jimmy Garoppolo, contrary to what Cam is saying. They do."


Marino wasn't the only one to report on the Browns' lack of interest. Respected Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com says the team is not expected to pursue Garoppolo, regardless of what happens with Watson.

"The Browns are still not expected to pursue a trade for Jimmy Garoppolo even with the uncertainty over Deshaun Watson's suspension," Cabot wrote. "The Browns never seriously considered trading for Garoppolo this offseason, even before Watson hit the trade market in March when a grand jury declined to indict him on criminal charges."

Who is correct? We'll have to wait to find out. With second-year quarterback Trey Lance slated to be the 49ers' Week 1 starter, the offseason-long Garoppolo storyline continues to drag on.

49ers players report to training camp on Tuesday.

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